This Week in Foodservice

Jerry Stiegler

This Week in Foodservice provides a high-level summary of the economic data, financial news, menu updates and numerous other statistical packages and developments that impact foodservice operators, consultants, dealers, manufacturers, reps and service agents. In his weekly blog, Jerry Stiegler aggregates key industry data through his infamous Green Sheet and provides some brief analysis that will help foodservice professionals navigate the sea of information. Jerry is a long-time member of the foodservice industry, whose experience includes working for Restaurants & Institutions magazine and FE&S.

U.S. retail sales were soft for the third month but restaurants continue to move ahead. The NPD Group says foodservice did well in many countries this summer. Dave Anderson has returned to Famous Dave’s. The fast-casual segment remains hot. These stories and a lot more This Week in Foodservice.

The NRA reports their index is down again but operators keep spending. Buffalo Wild Wings will curtail expansion in areas with a high minimum wage. The NRA challenges New York State’s increase in minimum wage at fast food operations. McDonald’s chops menu choices to accommodate its all-day breakfast program. A dozen major chains report comparable-store sales. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.\

Malcolm Knapp reports on September. Did the media do a hatchet job on McDonald’s? All-day breakfast may be working for Big Mac and the world’s largest restaurant chain may have begun a turnaround. A shortage of cooks is beginning to hurt restaurants. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

The Census Bureau reported restaurant sales did well in September. YUM! plans to spin off its China division. McDonald’s all-day breakfast appears to be a hit with consumers, but the same can’t be said for franchisees. Food away from home prices accelerate. Red Robin “takes back the bar” just as neighborhood bars fold. These stories and a whole lot more This Week in Foodservice.

Operators like the DSR to take their orders. Will YUM sell its China operation? Domino’s Pizza nixes menu price increases. A Target store adds a new kind of Starbucks. The NPD Group reports breakfast traffic is up. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

The National Restaurant Association reported that business was soft in August. Foodservice hiring remained strong last month. McDonald’s makes major changes in their Canadian operations. Dunkin’ Donuts says slowing sales are the result of higher prices that the chain raised in response to increasing minimum wage requirements. These stories and a whole lot more, This Week in Foodservice.

Starbucks attempted to deal with scheduling problems but came up short. New York City tried to rid the city of foam and hard plastic food containers but was shot down in court. Johnny Rockets and the QuikTrip C-store chain have both introduced new concepts. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

The Federal Reserve surprised many by keeping interest rates near zero. Major chains are under pressure to spin off their real estate holdings but the IRS may intervene. Sysco has a three-year plan that includes focusing sales attention on independent restaurants. Foodservice prices continue to increase faster than overall consumer prices. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

Restaurant sales remained moderately strong in August. Job openings hit an all-time high in July. Operators are not standing idly by while McDonald’s rolls out its all day breakfast program. Wawa says foodservice was the primary reason for the largest remodeling program in the c-store chain’s history. To escape expensive ground floor rents, New York City restaurants continue to lease upper floors. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.

McDonald’s all day breakfast requires new kitchen equipment. U.S. manufacturing struggles while employment data is mixed. Foodservice operators continue to hire. Subway plans a major shift in their strategy. These stories and a whole lot more This Week In Foodservice.